Multiple component balloon catheter system and stenosis treatment procedure

摘要

A balloon catheter system is provided which includes a balloon-on-a-wire assembly and an over-the-wire catheter which slidably passes over the elongated body of the balloon-on-a-wire assembly, but not over its balloon. In the procedure by which the system is used, the balloon-on-a-wire assembly achieves an initial dilation or predilation of a lesion or stenosis, after which it is moved somewhat distally to clear the predilated stenosis. The over-the-wire catheter then is slidably moved over the balloon-on-a-wire assembly until its balloon reaches and dilates the predilated stenosis. After dilation is completed, the system is removed from the body vessel thus treated.